Greetings!
Please enjoy a sampling of articles from our June 2022 newsletter. To read the entire issue, download the PDF here.
The Mayor’s Fitness Challenge Returns to North Adams for the Month of June After a Two Year Hiatus 
North Adams, MA- It’s been two years since the last Mayor’s Fitness Challenge (MFC) called on the community to make a conscientious effort at healthier habits by participating in this community-wide fitness challenge. The challenge includes prizes for the folks who racked up the most points as individuals or as part of a team. We are excited to announce that after a two year break, we are back! This will be the 6th Annual MFC for North Adams. In past years, the challenge expanded into a challenge between the cities of Pittsfield and North Adams, but as the world gets back into the swing of “normal” we’re going back to basics, focusing on North Adams, and shortening the challenge to just the month of June.

This year’s challenge is coordinated by the Coalition’s Health & Wellness Coordinator, Jessi Byrne, who hopes the community can come together with the common goal of increasing the health and wellness of our city in a fun and inspirational way. Participants will be working to build and track points by eating fruits and vegetables, drinking water, and participating in physical activity.
There are weekly bonus points for completing certain tasks, attending MFC events, and even some “anytime” bonus points that can be each used once per participant throughout the month. Participants will also receive a punch card to the Berkshire YMCA good through the duration of the challenge. This card allows each participant 12 visits to their facilities free of charge.

Registration runs from Wednesday, June 1, through Saturday, June 4, 2022. The nbCC will be tabling in front of the office located at 61 Main Street, North Adams, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on June 1, registering participants, handing out tracking packets, and entering participants into a raffle for a free basket of MFC related goodies. June 2 and 3, packets can be picked up in the office during business hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams. 

The final day of registration will take place at the North Adams Farmers Market Season Kick-Off, on Saturday, June 4, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the St. Anthony Municipal Parking Lot (located at the intersection of Marshall Street and St. Anthony Drive). This will be the last opportunity to enter the free raffle. We encourage the community to come see us at the MFC tent at the market that day! Participants that attend the farmers market will rack up bonus points for doing so.

The challenge runs throughout the month of June. The final day to track points will be Monday, June 27th. All participants must turn in their tracking packets between June 27 and June 30. Winners will be announced at the North Adams SteepleCats baseball game on July 4. All participants will get free entry into this game and are welcome to stay for the game and the City of North Adams Fireworks immediately following the game.

This event has been organized by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, the North Adams Mayor’s Fitness Challenge Planning Team, the Northern Berkshire YMCA, and the City of North Adams. A list of MFC Events can be found on the Coalition Calendar in the full newsletter link on page 6.

For additional information, please contact our office at (413) 663-7588 or email Jessi at jbyrne@nbccoalition.org.
-Suzy Helme, Communications Coordinator
That’s a Wrap for 2021/2022 Youth Programming!
 Next Up: Summer Session

On Wednesday, May 18th, the Teen Writing Workshop held its second writing showcase of the year. The end of year showcase has traditionally been an opportunity for family, friends, and community members to gather and listen to some of the works that have been created by the group throughout the year. It also marks the release of the annual journal of teen writing, Somewhere Between. This year’s journal marks the 24th volume of the publication, and features incredible original works of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and art.

  This year’s end of year showcase was a truly special event. Held for the first time in the 3 West Event space at the Norad Mill, the participants were joined by parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings and friends, and a range of community members who came to show their support. In keeping with tradition, those in attendance learned the Teen Writing Workshop’s patented method of applause, better known as the firework clap. This top-secret method of cheering has been a staple of Teen Writing Workshop for many years, and it is always a treat to see the sea of raised arms as community members embrace the tradition.

  The showcase featured 17 writers from this year’s program, marking one of the largest performances in recent memory. The works shared included poems, short stories, some drawn and painted artwork, and even a truly inspiring non-fiction piece about snails. The evening was marked by moving words and amazing talent, as well as a truly supportive environment. It is no easy task to speak in front of a room of people, especially when what you are sharing is your own creative creation. It takes true courage to bare your soul in front of peers and strangers alike, and the warm applause and high praise that greeted each shared work was truly earned.

  The Teen Writing Workshop will be wrapping up this year’s program the last week of May, but we will be back in action next October. We are always looking for new members, and the program is open to any young people between the ages of 13-19. For more information, you can visit our website, call nbcc at 413-663-7588, or email csacherski@nbccoalition.org

- Carrisa Sacherski, Youth Support Associate
Updates from our new Youth Prevention Coordinator
Throughout the last two months, nbCC has conducted several focus groups with various sectors of the community. We have received a grant to continue our efforts around youth substance use prevention and are speaking with the community to try and see what is going well and what or who we are missing in North Berkshire County. So far, we have spoken to the following sectors of the community: Health Professionals, Civic, Business, Recovery, Youth, and Families. If you are interested in speaking with us about your experiences regarding substances and prevention, contact Lindsey at lrosa@nbccoalition.org.

-Lindsey, Youth Prevention Coordinator
2022 Summer Events in 
the northern Berkshires!
NORTH ADAMS 
June 1-30 - Mayor's Fitness Challenge | All month long | See full schedule and details on pg. 6
June 1 - Concerts at Windsor Lake: Sky Full of Dippers | 6:30PM | Windsor Lake
June 3 - (Every Friday) NAMAzing Coffee Date | 7:30-9AM | Eagle St. Parklet
June 4 - Farmers Market Kick-Off! | 9AM-1PM | Every Saturday until mid-October | St. Anthony Lot
June 7 - SteepleCats Baseball Season begins! Game at 6:30 | Joe Wolfe Field (For full schedule: Steeplecats.org) ($)
June 8 - Concerts at Windsor Lake: All Over the Map | 6:30PM | Windsor Lake
June 11 - 2nd Annual Veterans' BBQ | 12-4PM | Greylock Community Club
June 12 - PopCares Cruise in for Cancer Car Show | 9AM-1PM | Southside Sales & Service
June 15 - Concerts at Windsor Lake: Champagne Jam | 6:30PM | Windsor Lake
 June 24 - UNO Community Block Party | 5-7PM | UNO Center & UNO Park
June 24 -North Adam PRIDE Night! | 6-8PM | MASS MoCA Courtyard A
June 29 - Concerts at Windsor Lake: Happy Together Band | 6:30PM | Windsor Lake
July 4th – Fireworks/ SteepleCats game (Rain Date: July 5th) ($ for game) Fireworks are free to attend
July 6 - concerts at Windsor Lake: Wild bill & flying sparks | 6:30PM | Windsor Lake
July 13 - concerts at Windsor Lake: e.r.i.e. | 6:30PM | Windsor lake
July 16 - Eagle Street Beach Party | 2-10PM | Rain Date: 7/23
July 20 - Concerts at Windsor Lake: Bang On A Can | 7:30PM | Windsor Lake
July 27 - Concerts at Windsor Lake: Radio Active | 6:30PM | Windsor Lake
Aug. 2 – National Night Out | 4-8PM | Noel Field                        
Aug. 10 - Downtown Celebration | 5:30-9PM RAIN DATE: 8/11
July 6 - Concerts at Windsor Lake: Bluesday night | 6:30PM | Windsor Lake
Aug 27 – Motorama Cruise-in Concert | 2-6PM | Noel Field
Aug. 28 – Motorama Car Show & Swap Meet | 9AM-3PM | Downtown
TBA - Dates and titles for Movie Under the Stars at Colegrove Park
ADAMS
June 10 - Cultural District Kick-Off | 5-7PM | Adams Theater
June 18 – Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival | 10AM-10PM | Adams Aggie Fairgrounds ($)
July 8 - Movie: Sing 2 | Dusk | Adams Visitors Center
July 12 - Concert: Rev Tor Band | Adams Visitors Center
July 19 - Concert: Jack Waldheim Band | Adams Visitors Center
July 22 - Movie: Up! | Adams Visitors Center
July 24 - 2nd Annual Adams Street Fair | 12-6PM | Adams Visitors Center
July 26 - Concert: Brian Benlein Solo | Adams Visitors Center
Aug. 2 - Concert: Sky Full of Dippers | Adams Visitors Center
Aug. 2 – National Night Out                        
Aug. 5 - Movie: Encanto | Adams Visitors Center
Aug. 9 - Concert: Hot Shot Hillbillies Band | Adams Visitors Center
Aug. 16 - Concert: Happy Together Band | Adams Visitors Center
Aug. 18 - Senior Picnic | 3-5;30PM | Adams Lions Club
Aug. 19 - Movie: Clifford | Adams Visitors Center
Aug. 23 - Concert: Mr. Doubtfire | Adams Visitors Center
WILLIAMSTOWN
June 8 - Outdoor movie at the Clark - KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE | 8:30PM
June 22 - Outdoor movie at the Clark - Iron Giant | 8:45PM
June 29 - Outdoor movie at the Clark - Night of the Hunter | 8:45PM
July 4th – 4th of July Parade | 11AM | Spring Street
Aug. 2 – National Night Out   

Do you know of public events happening this summer in Adams, Clarksburg, Cheshire, Florida, North Adams, Savoy, or Williamstown? Contact us with the details and we’ll add it to the list for next month! 
COMING IN JULY!
SUMMER SESSION | FRIDAYS
1-3:30PM EVERY FRIDAY AT THE NBCC
CONF. ROOM, 61 MAIN ST.
FOR YOUTH 13-19YRS.

SUMMER NEIGHBORHOOD 
BASKETBALL LEAGUE (AGES 9-13)
July 5 - Aug. 9
5-6PM EVERY TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY  WITH ROTATING GAME LOCATIONS
We are still looking for youth coaches for the summer Basketball League! If you are 18-21 years old and want to be paid to coach basketball three evenings a week please contact us: 413-663-7588
Click here to see what's going on at nbCC in June!